What is CORTEC?

CORTEC is a technology for using corrugated cardboard in the construction of high quality theatre scenery and props.

CORTEC has numerous advantages over traditional materials, while sharing the high aesthetic quality and durability of wood construction.

Where additional structural strength is needed, corrugated can be used in conjunction with wood for ease of construction, and to greatly reduce weight.

Corrugated cardboard is made of a high percentage of recycled material, has minimal mass; and replaces wood (luan,) reducing the need to destroy endangered forests around the world.

Corrugated is easy to work with, basically requiring only a knife for cutting and shaping and hot melt glue as a fastener. Its lighter weight is a special advantage in community, children's, and school theatre programs.

Corrugated cardboard, in kraft or white finish, accepts paint beautifully without needing to be primed.
Solid paint coverage or creative painting techniques can be applied as on traditional canvas or wood surfaces.

In college & university theatre programs it can provide a high quality, cost effective and environmentally sustainable material to address the changing paradigm of resource use in the future.

While we believe the art of scenic painting is coming back in vogue, the successful use of corrugated cardboard as a scenic material is, of course, not dependent on the user being a scenic artist. It is meant to be used to facilitate any style or approach to design demanded by the production. However, for those interested in more information on scene painting techniques not covered in CortecGuide2008, an excellent, recently published book is highly recommended: